The way forward to challenge the dominant economic model in Europe
On January 14 numerous members had the opportunity to debate with Mr Sergi Corbalán, Executive Director of Fair Trade Advocacy Office. This was part of our cycle of Social Platform lunch debates with guest speakers on the common theme the “social dimension of European Economic policies”.
Sergi Corbalán explained his vision of a positive contribution of trade to society, if done in a fair way, respecting social and ecological criteria.
He then shared his thoughts on how the dominant economic model in Europe has also negative impacts on small producers and workers, both in the North and in the South. He underlined how it would be strategic for our two sectors to work on common issues faced by farmers, workers, disadvantaged / marginalised people and discriminated people, both in the North and in the South.
Sergi Corbalán explained his vision of a positive contribution of trade to society, if done in a fair way, respecting social and ecological criteria.
He then shared his thoughts on how the dominant economic model in Europe has also negative impacts on small producers and workers, both in the North and in the South. He underlined how it would be strategic for our two sectors to work on common issues faced by farmers, workers, disadvantaged / marginalised people and discriminated people, both in the North and in the South.
He presented the “Common Cause” thinking on how the use of values and frames (and how we communicate about them) may help social actors to achieve change.
Possibilities on how the Fair Trade movement and Social Platform can work closer together were explored, such as:
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Promote sustainable (social and environmental) procurement
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Advocate for the setting up of an independent watch dog to be able to monitor the impact of EU trade and investment policies on the “general interest”
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Advocate with other civil society organisations on the new EU policy of engagement with the private sector in development
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Identify common values and frames to use for the civil society manifestos for the EP elections in May 2014.
Read Sergi Corbalán’s full presentation.
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In the previous three debates we discussed “Mapping future scenarios for the Eurozone” with Prof. Maria João Rodrigues; key challenges to counterweight private interest lobbying of the financial industry with Thierry Philipponnat, Finance Watch’s Secretary General; and the resilience of cooperatives to the crisis with CECOP-CICOPA documentary “Together. How cooperatives show resilience to the crisis”.
